For Faulk, it was just a scare

FOXBOROUGH - When running back Kevin Faulk planted his right foot on a second-quarter run last Sunday, then was tripped up by Browns defensive lineman Robaire Smith on a 1-yard gain, he considered the worst scenario.

Faulk gingerly trotted off the field, had his right leg examined, and did not return to action. As he watched the rest of the game from the sideline with receiver Troy Brown, Faulk was unsure if he'd suffered a serious injury.

The news was good.

"I had a little scare, but I'm good, healthy enough to play, so that's what it will be," said Faulk, who fully participated in yesterday's practice and wasn't listed on the team's injury report. "You feel real fortunate, but that's the game we play. You take a chance every time you step on the field."

It would have been a tough blow for the Patriots to lose Faulk, not only for his contributions in the two-minute offense and third downs, but also because Laurence Maroney (groin) has missed the last two games. Maroney remains limited, participating in only parts of the Patriots' practice yesterday.

Over the last two weeks, Sammy Morris - who leads the team with 370 yards on 75 carries - has picked up most of the slack. Faulk was impressed to watch Morris play 32 straight snaps last Sunday, and 56 of a possible 70.

"That's something that through the course of the offseason program, and training camp, and the beginning of the season that I've come to know is possible from Sammy," said Faulk.

Belichick has his back

After being called "classless" by Browns left guard Eric Steinbach - and accused of deliberately falling at the knees of Browns left tackle Joe Thomas last Sunday - outside linebacker Mike Vrabel responded yesterday.

"I'm going to say this one time, I'm sorry that they feel that way. I don't play that way, and I'm sorry they feel that way. We're going to move on," Vrabel said.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick publicly defended Vrabel, which the 11-year veteran acknowledged meant a lot to him.

"I think that Bill is great for this team, great for the players," Vrabel said. "I think we try to do a lot for him, and he does a lot for us. In a lot of situations, he's there to back us, whether that's during the game or after the game. He helps us get ready."

Vrabel's teammates also leapt to his defense, with safety Rodney Harrison injecting some humor into the discussion. "I've known Mike for five years now. Tremendous football player. Better person. Family man. Nothing dirty on Mike except his underwear."

Silent treatment

Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens has gone into silent mode leading to Sunday's game against the Patriots, as he canceled his regular Wednesday session with the media in Dallas. In doing so, Owens had a typed note, which was laminated, hung in his locker for reporters to see.

The note read: "Due to the magnitude of this week's game and high volume of questions for the Original 81 about the other 81, I will be taking all questions immediately following Sunday's game."

The other 81, of course, is Patriots receiver Randy Moss.

Owens signed the note and at the end of it wrote: "p.s. Getcha Popcorn Ready."

Just another game

Quarterback Tom Brady is set to make his 100th career regular-season start Sunday, and the game will mark his first trip to Texas Stadium. Brady is 20-7 when starting in a stadium for the first time.

While the Patriots drew additional media coverage yesterday - ESPN alone had four on-air personalities at Gillette Stadium to pump up the matchup of 5-0 teams - Brady indicated the team isn't treating Sunday's matchup differently than any other week.

"I don't think we're building this to anything more than it really is, which is another game on our schedule," Brady said. "They present some different challenges and they're a very talented team, so we need to play our best."

Rivers back in mix

The Patriots re-signed tight end Marcellus Rivers, marking the fourth time the team has signed him. While Rivers hasn't played in a game for the Patriots this season, he maintains he is not frustrated by the here-today, gone-tomorrow approach.

"They make it easy to understand what they're thinking and why they're making those decisions," Rivers said. "It's a business and they're trying to do everything they can to be successful. It's understandable."

To make room for Rivers, who is third on the tight end depth chart behind Kyle Brady and Benjamin Watson, the Patriots released veteran outside linebacker Chad Brown, a 15-year veteran who had been active for just one game this season.

Thomas limited

Linebacker Adalius Thomas, who played in 16 of a possible 39 snaps after injuring his left ankle in the win over the Browns, was limited in practice . . . Safety Mel Mitchell, a key member of the Patriots' special teams units, did not practice because of a groin injury he suffered against the Browns. Mitchell was on the punt and kickoff coverage units, kickoff return and punt return units, and field goal block team against the Browns . . . Cowboys coach Wade Phillips was head coach of the Bills when Buffalo selected Morris in the fifth round of the 2000 draft, so Phillips said he's not surprised at Morris's performance this season. "I'm kind of a Sammy Morris fan," Phillips said. "Part of why we drafted him was not only his talent, but his character." . . . Belichick called Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (29 catches, 407 yards, 4 TDs) "a great player, probably the best all-around tight end that I've seen in quite a while." . . . Practice squad players Dan Connolly (offensive line) and C.J. Jones (receiver) were the team's practice players of the week.

Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com.